In total, around 2,000 people are expected to turn up for the service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London next Wednesday.

They include Queen Elizabeth and former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore will be attending their regular business in the Dail next week rather than travelling to London for the funeral. However, it is understood that many other European Governments are due to be represented by cabinet ministers rather than by heads of state.